I was always a fan of Billy Idol. You can thank my mom for that. She used to tape (yes, I said tape) his music videos and performances from our handy-dandy VCR. We’d play them back and rock out like there was no tomorrow. My all-time favorites include “Mony, Mony,” “Cradle of Love,” “White Wedding” and “Dancing with Myself.” Not to mention, his cameo in “The Wedding Singer” was easily one of the best parts of the movie.

You can only imagine my excitement when I found out about his Vegas gig at Mandalay Bay. I jumped at the opportunity to catch his show. My only wish was that my mom was in town to see him too.

Idol plays at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay on select dates this month, as well as August through October. This is one show you won’t want to miss. Here’s what I absolutely loved about his Vegas show:

Add a live Billy Idol show to your bucket list. Trust us on this one. If you’ve seen him already, see him again. Photo by Edison Graff.

His dance moves and style are on point.

Idol’s got moves. I guarantee you’ll be scratching your head asking yourself if it’s 2016… or 1982. Not only does he show off his moves (and runs up and down the stage in between), he strips his shirt off like it’s nothing. We need to find out what gym he goes to or what his workout routine is because, dang. Age does not hinder him in the least bit. When he wasn’t showing off his flat stomach last night, he donned a bunch of cool looks, like head-to-toe leather and hanging suspenders. You can’t stop this man.

Yep, Billy Idol still has a rockin’ bod. And we were right there to witness it. Photo by Jeannie Garcia.

He knows how to get the crowd moving.

Haven’t been to a live concert recently, or it’s been a minute since you did? Well, it’s a nice day to start again. I kid you not — concert goers were either fist pumping, head bopping or shaking their hips. (We were doing all three, baby.) And of course, no Billy Idol show is complete without hearing “Dancing with Myself,” “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell.” Heck, even the songs we weren’t familiar with, we were dancing just the same. His non-stop energy has a whole lot to do with it. His powerful vocals also add to the pulsating vibe.

He also engaged with fans during the show, which included a handful of call-and-response bits (Do you feel alright? I feel alright!). Tip: If you stand closer to the front, there’s a chance you might catch some of the freebies he throws into the crowd.

Billy Idol and his original lead guitarist, Steve Stevens, rocked the house at Mandalay Bay. You gotta experience it in person. Photo by Edison Graff.

Billy’s guitarist, Steve Stevens, makes every second of the show worth it.

If you’re not familiar with Steve Stevens, get on the train right this instant. He’s the same guitarist who worked with Michael Jackson on his “Bad” album, most notably on “Dirty Diana.” During the show, Stevens had many jaw-dropping solos, some of which he played with the guitar behind his head. This man knows how to shred. We didn’t want him to stop. His Spanish guitar solo was incredible and also my favorite guitar performance of the night.

Idol’s signature vocals, paired with his talented band, will keep you movin’ and wanting more, more, more. Check out Idol and his awesome band at Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues on the following dates:

May: 6-7, 11, 13 – 14

August: 31

September: 2-3, 7, 9 – 10

October: 12, 14 – 15, 19, 21 – 22

And because we love you (and Billy!) so much, here’s a throwback of his hit song, “Rebel Yell.”

Comments

Most folks take their Vegas jackpot winnings back home, but my dad decided to stay here instead. That’s how I left Seattle almost 20 years ago. I moved from greenery and rainy days to hot summers, palm trees and desert. As much as I love my hometown, I decided to stick around Vegas. This city just has so much to offer. You don’t even have to be a gambler, bar hopper or an all-night partier. I love Vegas for its awesome vegan-friendly spots, concerts, swanky hotel suites and spas so big, they’re like castles. The pool scene is not too shabby either, which is why I love taking stay-cations. Besides living it up -- Vegas style -- I’m hanging out with my handsome hubby, adorable baby girl, two cats and super-fluffy Shih-Tzu. I’m also a huge fan of '90s music, shows and movies. You can find me on Google+ and Twitter.